California College Professor Faces Charges Following Death of Jewish Man

A California college professor, Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji, has found himself amid a criminal investigation after the death of a 69-year-old Jewish man, Paul Kessler, during simultaneous pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations on November 5, according to Fox News.

Alnaji, 50, faces serious charges, including involuntary manslaughter and battery causing great bodily injury, both carrying "special allegations that Alnaji personally inflicted great bodily injury," said the press release from the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

The incident unfolded during heated demonstrations, showcasing the complex and emotionally charged nature of the Israel-Palestine conflict even on American soil.

Kessler, a pro-Israel demonstrator, tragically lost his life, allegedly after a physical altercation involving Alnaji.

He fell backward, striking his head on the concrete, leading to fatal brain hemorrhaging. Kessler passed away on November 6, a day after the protest.

Details surrounding the incident remain somewhat veiled, as the Ventura County Sheriff's Department has been cautious with releasing information.

"We're not providing any additional information at this moment in time; however, there will be additional information released later today," said Sgt. Rob Yoos when contacted by Fox News Digital.

The investigators claim that Alnaji, who serves as a computer science professor at Moorpark College, was responsible for causing Kessler to fall and injure his head.

The nature of the physical altercation and the events leading up to it have not been fully disclosed.

The district attorney has not yet explained the evidence supporting the charges, promising more information in a news conference scheduled for Friday.

Jewish Man's Death

The incident occurred during a protest that was advertised as a peaceful gathering to support Palestinians, AP reports.

Kessler, among a group of pro-Israel demonstrators, met a tragic end, raising questions about the escalation of tensions and violence within the context of these demonstrations.

Sheriff Jim Fryhoff previously mentioned on November 7 that Kessler fell backward and hit his head on the ground, but video footage did not offer a clear view of the altercation preceding the fall.

The investigators appealed to the public for additional footage to shed light on the events leading to Kessler's death.

At the time, the possibility of a hate crime had not been ruled out, and the sheriff emphasized the challenges faced due to conflicting witness accounts from both sides.

The arrest of Alnaji indicates a significant development in the case, but questions remain regarding the evidence that prompted the charges.

The autopsy results revealed that Kessler suffered non-lethal injuries on the left side of his face and injuries to the back of his head consistent with a fall, CNN noted.

Dr. Christopher Young, the chief medical examiner for Ventura County, stated that Kessler's injuries were "consistent with and typical of injuries sustained from a fall."

The cause of death was determined to be blunt force head trauma, classified as a homicide, a medical term indicating that the death occurred at the hands of another person.

The California College Professor

In response to the incident, Moorpark College placed Alnaji on administrative leave, and the Ventura County Community College District issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to cooperating fully with law enforcement, per KTLA 5.

"VCCCD remains committed to cooperating fully with law enforcement as they continue their investigation. We will also ensure that our college communities have access to the necessary support and resources during this challenging period," the statement said.

The California college professor's bail has been set at $1 million by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. As for legal representation, it remains unclear whether Alnaji has secured legal counsel at this time.

The incident occurred against the backdrop of numerous protests across the United States, either supporting Israel or expressing opposition to its retaliation for the October 7 Hamas attacks, which claimed more than 1,200 lives.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Jewish man dies after confrontation with pro-Palestinian protesters in California - From ABC 7 Chicago